When the time arrived for Anchor Brewing Co. to create a fruit-infused India Pale Ale, the brewers decided to represent their home state by selecting the blackberry, a berry “once wildly rampant in California”, as the featured fruit. Blackberry Daze IPA receives a solid foundation of hops in the brewhouse, but the majority of the beer’s flavor and aroma arrives once “the fruit is added during secondary fermentation.” It is here that this brew receives a dry-hopping with a “special blend of loamy, herbaceous hops” to marry with “the brightness and deep complexity of the blackberries.” This all results in a 6.5% ABV IPA that is “a funky synthesis of rich earth and ripe fruit, hop bitterness and blackberry tartness, with alluring color and aromas up front, sublimely intense flavors, and a refreshingly dry finish.”

“Blackberry Daze IPA is a natural continuum to our growing list of beers made with fruit,” said Anchor Brewmaster Scott Ungermann. “When using fruit in an IPA, we want something that stands up to and also pairs nicely with the hops. Blackberries uniquely compliment the hops, rather than contrast with them. We add some fruit to the brew kettle towards the end of the boil, giving the beer a nice berry jam aroma. Then we add fresh berries in the cellar, imparting a sharp tartness that compliments the beer’s hoppy flavors. The result is an IPA with upfront bitterness that’s countered by tartness and slight sweetness from the berries, creating a play between tart, sweet, and bitter.”

Blackberry Daze IPA is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft. Fruit-lovin’ hop heads can track this one down at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California and throughout the rest of Anchor Brewing’s expansive distribution footprint. Having achieved legendary status in American craft brewing, it is well known that Anchor Brewing Co. only sends out the highest quality offerings to represent them on shelves and taps across this country. With that truth in mind, be sure to check out Blackberry Daze IPA the next time you find yourself in need of a fruit-infused IPA. Prost!